FEARS of renewed controversy and tension over loyalist marches in the North in coming weeks have re emerged, as the RUC yesterday prohibited a Royal Black Institution parade from passing down the predominantly nationalist lower Ormeau Road in Belfast next Sunday.
The RUC has moved early to impose conditions on next Sunday's parade under the Public Order Order, 1987. It has directed that the lower Ormeau Road, which has been extremely contentious in the past, must be excluded from the notified route.
The parade will therefore be blocked by the RUC at the Ormeau Bridge, leading to the possibility of another difficult impasse if the Black Institution refuses to accept the rerouting.
The Ballynafeigh District Chapter of the Institution described the RUC decision as a considerable disappointment, and suggested the police were giving in to the threat of violence.
However, the Lower Ormeau Concerned Community (LOCC) condemned the Institution for seeking to parade on the lower Ormeau on Sunday and said it should have voluntarily rerouted its march, as it claimed was done last year.
Meanwhile, there are indications of trouble over a further series of Black marches due to take place at various locations in Northern Ireland, including Newry, Co Down, and Bellaghy, Co Derry, on August 31st. Up to 40,000 members of the Institution are expected to parade on that day.
Calls for the Royal Black Institution to begin talks with residents in a number of nationalist areas on parade routes, in order to arrive at agreed arrangements and consent, have apparently evoked no response so far.
A senior member of the Institution was quoted yesterday as saying it would be speaking to "the proper authorities" on its parades, implying it was not willing to talk to protest groups.
This evening, the Newry Coalition Against Sectarian Marches will meet to discuss parades, including the Royal Black procession planned for the town on August 31st.
The Royal Black institution is effectively the senior branch of the Orange Order and its main demonstrations are staged on the last Saturday of August each year.